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nuclear-security-news-and-member-updates-roundup,-july-2025

Nuclear Security News and Member Updates Roundup, July 2025

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Dear Friend,

July marked the 80th anniversary of the Trinity nuclear test, an event that resonates even as the world continues to grapple with both the destructive threat and humanitarian promise of nuclear technology. Against the backdrop of the fragile safety and security situation for Ukraine’s nuclear power plants, especially the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, July also marks the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the Amendment to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Materials (A/CPPNM), a key pillar in the global nuclear security architecture. With the second Conference of the Parties to the Amendment now scheduled for April 2027, civil society has a key role in developing and offering policy recommendations for States Parties to consider in preparing for and implementing this key event. Read to the end of the newsletter to learn about fellowships, internships, and job openings available across the nuclear security field as well as member updates such as research published by King’s College London’s EVIDENCE Network on nuclear disinformation during the India–Pakistan conflict.

Warm wishes for August,

Christina

Director, International Nuclear Security Forum

Join the conversation on X: @INS_Forum

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Updates

  • INSF hosted a summer webinar on July 22nd featuring Alex Barrow and Jonny Maddock of the UK’s Nuclear Transport Solutions (NTS), presenting “Securing the Future of Nuclear Transport.” The session, moderated by INSF Director Christina McAllister, explored the evolving threat landscape in nuclear transport, the UK’s approach to secure logistics, and NTS’ world-leading capabilities in emergency preparedness and stakeholder engagement.
  • Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Nuclear Security: Risks, Realities, and Readiness: Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming the nuclear security landscape. The upcoming edition of INSF’s summer webinar series on Thursday, August 21st at 9:00 – 10:00 EDT will explore how AI is already influencing nuclear security, what its future trajectory might mean for states and institutions, and how the international community and civil society can prepare for the challenges ahead.
    • The session will feature a presentation by Sarah Case Lackner, Senior Fellow at the Vienna Center for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation (VCDNP), offering expert insights into the evolving intersection of AI and nuclear security. The discussion will be moderated by INSF Director Christina McAllister. 
    • If you are not an INSF member and would like to attend this webinar, apply for membership here and, if approved, receive an invitation to register, along with all of the benefits of INSF membership!
  • FUNDING APPEAL: If you appreciate this newsletter, please consider a donation to ensure sustainability into the future. Donate here and specify where indicated that your gift is intended to support the INSF. Institutional funding for civil society’s nuclear security work is increasingly hard to come by, as many readers already know, and the International Nuclear Security Forum appreciates your support!

Nuclear Security News

Israeli and U.S. Strikes on Iranian Nuclear Facilities

  • IAEA Will Visit Iran in Next Two Weeks, Iranian Foreign Ministry Says (July 28): The U.N. nuclear watchdog will make a visit to Iran within the next two weeks, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said on [July 28], a few days after the watchdog’s director said Tehran was ready to restart technical conversations. Baghaei added that a manual regarding the future of Iran’s cooperation with the [IAEA] will be presented, based on a recent parliamentary bill restricting such cooperation. The bill, which has now become law, stipulates that any future inspection of Iran’s nuclear sites by the IAEA needs approval by Tehran’s Supreme National Security Council. The IAEA has said it must be allowed to resume inspections after Israeli and U.S. airstrikes [in June] that aimed to destroy Iran’s nuclear program and deny it the capacity to build a nuclear weapon. Iran has always denied seeking nuclear weapons and says its program is strictly peaceful.

The Russian Invasion of Ukraine

  • Update 299 – IAEA Director General Statement on Situation in Ukraine (July 1): The IAEA team based at Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) has been informed of a drone attack that damaged several vehicles near the site’s cooling pond [the week of June 23], Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said [on July 1]. Visiting near one of the areas of [the June 27] purported attack, the IAEA team [on June 30] observed burnt grass and other charred vegetation, which the plant said was caused by a drone that crashed and caused a fire there. In the latest such report highlighting constant dangers to nuclear safety during the military conflict, the ZNPP said six drones had been involved in the incident.
  • Power Cut for a Time to Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant; Kyiv Blames Russian Strike (July 4): All external power lines supplying electricity to the Russian-occupied [ZNPP] in Ukraine were down for several hours on [July 4], the U.N. nuclear watchdog said, but the station’s management later said power had been restored. The head of the [IAEA], Rafael Grossi, acknowledged that power had been restored after 3 1/2 hours. But he added in a statement on X that nuclear safety “remains extremely precarious in Ukraine.” Ukraine’s energy minister blamed Russian shelling for severing the last power line to the plant and its six reactors. The country’s power distribution operator said its technicians had taken action to restore it
  • Update 301 – IAEA Director General Statement on Situation in Ukraine (July 10): Ukraine’s [ZNPP] remains connected to its last remaining main power line following the recent loss of all off-site power on July 4, an ongoing situation that highlights the heightened nuclear safety and security risks during the conflict, Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi of the [IAEA] said [on July 10]. The loss of power – the ninth since the start of the conflict in February 2022 – forced the ZNPP to rely on its backup diesel generators for almost four hours as the plant’s one remaining back-up line remains disconnected after being reportedly damaged by military activity on May 7. The IAEA team based at the ZNPP site — Europe’s largest nuclear facility — was informed this week that the emergency diesel generator fuel tanks used during the loss of power have since been replenished and the site has enough fuel to enable operation of emergency diesel generators for approximately 20 days, in case of a loss of off-site power event.
  • Update 302 – IAEA Director General Statement on Situation in Ukraine (July 12): The [IAEA] has been informed about a purported drone attack on the city hall in Enerhodar, where most staff of Ukraine’s [ZNPP] live, Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said. During a visit to Enerhodar [on July 12], the IAEA team members based at the ZNPP were taken to the city hall and could see some damage at the top of the building, which they were told was caused by a drone strike at around 1am on [the morning of July 11]. There were no reports of casualties. Enerhodar is located about 5 km from the ZNPP.
  • Update 303 – IAEA Director General Statement on Situation in Ukraine (July 13): The IAEA team at Ukraine’s [ZNPP] reported hearing hundreds of rounds of small arms fire [the night of July 12], the latest sign of military activity potentially threatening nuclear safety and security, Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said [on July 13]. The large number of shots – repeatedly fired for about an hour from 10pm local time – was unusual, the team members reported. Conducting a site walkdown [the morning of July 13], they saw numerous small caliber casings lying scattered on the ground near reactor units 5 and 6. There was no sign of broken windows or other physical damage. […] [The evening of July 12’s] shooting came after a series of purported attacks and other incidents involving drones near the ZNPP and other nuclear facilities in Ukraine in recent months, including a report of a strike a few days ago in the city of Enerhodar, where most ZNPP staff live. Director General Grossi reiterated his deep concern about the apparent increased use of drones near nuclear power plants since early this year, saying such weaponry posed a clear risk to nuclear safety and security.
  • Zaporizhzhia Hit by Night Attack With Drones and Artillery, Several Wounded (July 20): On the night of July 20, Russian forces once again attacked Zaporizhzhia and the Zaporizhzhia district using attack drones and artillery. Unfortunately, there were casualties. According to Ivan Fedorov, head of the Zaporizhzhia Regional Military Administration, on his Telegram channel, the attack on Zaporizhzhia on the night of July 20 damaged several private homes and shattered windows and the facade of a multi-story building. “Explosions in the Zaporizhzhia region. Stay in safe places until the all-clear,” the official announced at 00:59 Kyiv time.
  • Update 304 – IAEA Director General Statement on Situation in Ukraine (July 24): […] Director General Grossi said nuclear safety and security remains under threat in Ukraine. At the [ZNPP], the IAEA team based at the site has continued to hear shelling, explosions, and gunfire almost every day. Earlier [in July], the ZNPP informed the IAEA team that the site’s training centre was targeted in a drone strike on July 13, resulting in damage to its roof. There were no reports of casualties. The team was not granted access to assess the damage to the training centre located outside the site perimeter, with the plant citing security concerns. In addition, the ZNPP’s off-site power situation continues to be extremely fragile, with the plant having had access to just one single power line for almost three months now, compared to ten before the conflict. The nearby city of Enerhodar – where most ZNPP staff live – suffered an electricity blackout on July 17 due to damage to its main power line, according to information provided to the IAEA team members. They were also told that subsequent shelling had damaged some buildings in the city, which was also observed when the team visited Enerhodar on July 19. A forest fire near Enerhodar that caused smoke which was observed by the IAEA team last weekend has been extinguished without any impact on nuclear safety, the plant said. […] At Ukraine’s operating [NPPs] – Khmelnytskyy, Rivne and South Ukraine – three of their total of nine units are currently in shutdown for refueling and maintenance. The IAEA team based at these plants, and the Chornobyl site, reported hearing air raid alarms nearly every day over the [week of July 21]. At the Khmelnytskyy and South Ukraine NPPs, the IAEA teams were informed that during the night of July 18 drones were detected a few kilometers away from the two sites. That same evening, the team at Chornobyl observed flashes of light and heard explosions in the distance.
  • Update 305 – IAEA Director General Statement on Situation in Ukraine (July 26): The IAEA team based at Ukraine’s [ZNPP] has been informed of further military attacks on targets in the city of Enerhodar, where most plant staff live, Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said. Earlier [on July 26], the IAEA team members were taken to two places in the city to observe damage they were told had been caused by shelling and drone strikes on [July 25], including to a building where they saw debris and broken windows. The IAEA team could not immediately confirm the exact timing or cause of the damage. The ZNPP training centre – located outside the site – has also been targeted several times this year, according to information provided by the plant. In addition, the IAEA team was [on the week of July 14] shown indications of shelling damage at other places in Enerhodar, located around 5 km from the ZNPP. In recent months, there have been numerous reports of drone attacks and other incidents in the vicinity of the ZNPP and Ukraine’s other nuclear facilities.
  • Update 306 – IAEA Director General Statement on Situation in Ukraine (July 30): The IAEA team based at Ukraine’s [ZNPP] carried out independent measurements [on July 30] to confirm that there had been no increase in radiation levels at the site, contrary to some social media posts overnight, Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said. Using IAEA monitoring equipment, the team members measured only normal levels during a site walkdown. Their measurements confirmed other data collected separately at the site, as well as information provided by the plant itself. […] The general nuclear safety situation at the ZNPP remains precarious, however, with the plant continuing to rely on one single power line for the electricity it needs to cool its reactors and for other essential nuclear safety and security functions. Before the conflict, it had access to 10 external power lines. In addition, the IAEA team reported hearing military activities almost every day over the [week of July 28], at different distances from the site, which is located on the frontline. Earlier [the week of July 28], the team members performed a walkdown of a turbine hall of one reactor unit where they were once again denied access to the western part of the hall. The IAEA teams present at Ukraine’s operating [NPPs] — Khmelnytskyy, Rivne and South Ukraine NPPs – and the Chornobyl NPP site reported hearing air raid alarms nearly every day over the [week of July 28]. At Khmelnytskyy, the team had to shelter twice on July 28.

International Architecture

  • Cross-Border Exercise on Nuclear Material Smuggling Within ASEAN: Malaysia will conduct a field training exercise [on July 10] with Indonesia, Thailand, and Singapore to simulate a coordinated response to the cross-border smuggling of radioactive and nuclear materials. The drill will take place at Jeti Maritim in Gelang Patah, Johor, as part of the Malaysia-Indonesia-Thailand-Singapore Nuclear Security Detection Exercise (Mitsatom) 2025. It marks the fourth Mitsatom exercise hosted by Malaysia following the last session in Sabah in 2018.
  • Africa’s Nuclear Plans Accelerate with World Bank and IAEA Backing: Speaking at the Nuclear Energy Innovation Summit on June 30 and July 1, Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General of the [IAEA], expressed optimism about the role of nuclear power in Africa. He described nuclear energy as a “CO2-free sustainable” option now becoming realistic for African nations. This renewed momentum follows a groundbreaking agreement signed between the IAEA and the World Bank on June 26, lifting a long-standing barrier to supporting nuclear energy in developing countries. The agreement prioritizes sharing expertise, extending the lifespan of existing reactors, and accelerating the rollout of small modular reactors (SMRs), which are seen as more flexible and better suited to the needs of low-income countries.
  • Marking a Milestone: 20th Anniversary of the Amendment to the Convention on Physical Protection of Nuclear Material: Twenty years ago, the adoption of the Amendment to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (A/CPPNM) marked the start of a new era in international efforts to counter the risk of nuclear security threats. The Convention and its Amendment are the only internationally legally binding undertakings in the area of physical protection of nuclear material and of nuclear facilities used for peaceful purposes. They provide a robust international legal framework as a foundation for effective nuclear security.

Threats

  • Atom Says Malaysia Sees Around 15 Cases of Radioactive Material Smuggling Yearly: The Department of Atomic Energy (Atom Malaysia) revealed [July 7] that it has successfully uncovered several attempts by a syndicate to smuggle in illegal radioactive materials using forged customs documents. The syndicate forged customs declaration forms that stated it was importing toys, dairy products or textiles as a cover for smuggling in the radioactive materials. Atom Malaysia deputy director-general Monalija Kostor said the syndicate’s activities were recently uncovered after an inspection by the authorities.
  • Georgia Stops Sale of $3 Million of Uranium That Could Have Been Used in Bomb: Georgia has detained two people for handling and attempting to sell $3 million worth of uranium which could have been used to make a deadly bomb, the national security service said on [July 17]. The prosecutor general said one Georgian and one Turkish national had been arrested and charged with the illegal purchase, possession and disposal of radioactive substances. The pair were arrested in the western city of Batumi on the Black Sea and could face up to 10 years in prison.
  • Three Drones Detected In Japan Nuclear Plant: Three drones were detected in a Japanese nuclear power plant where two reactors are being decommissioned, the country’s nuclear watchdog said [July 27]. The unmanned aerial vehicles were spotted [the evening of July 26] by the operator of Genkai Nuclear Power Station in the southwestern Kyushu region, the Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) said. Unauthorized drone flights over and near nuclear power plants are prohibited in Japan, the NRA and police said. “No abnormalities were detected after the incident was reported, while drones have not been found inside the premises of the power plant,” a spokesman for the NRA told AFP. Police spokesman Masahiro Kosho said they have not located the drones and do not know who flew them or for what purpose.

Security Culture

  • Management of Disused Radioactive Sources: IAEA Safety and Security Guidance: Radioactive sources are important in cancer treatment and gamma radiography devices in industry and keeping them safe and secure is essential — from manufacture to disposal. The IAEA’s Guidance on the Management of Disused Radioactive Sources helps countries safely and securely manage disused radioactive sources by outlining options to reuse, recycle, store, dispose of or return them to suppliers. Earlier this month, 151 legal and technical experts from 112 countries and several international organizations met in person for the first time since the Guidance was published in 2018 to discuss their experiences, challenges and lessons learned from its implementation. The guidelines supplement the IAEA’s Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources, and has received commitment from 75 countries.
  • Federal Money to Protect Denver from Nuclear Terror and Dirty Bombs is Flowing Again After Lawsuit: The federal government has released some $500,000 to help the city of Denver prevent nuclear and radiological terror attacks — money that city officials say was wrongfully withheld by the Trump administration earlier this year. The money from the “Securing the Cities” program only started flowing after the city joined a lawsuit against the federal government [in June]. “With the Trump administration, I’m not confident the fight ever ends, but this is good news,” said Jon Ewing, a spokesperson for Mayor Mike Johnston. “We don’t want to be mothballing equipment that can detect radioactive materials. This is terrific news.”

Member Organization Announcements and Updates

Bellona Foundation

  • On July 15, the European TV channel ARTE released a 90-minute documentary titled “Nuclear – Putin’s Deal with the West”, focusing on the influence of Russia’s nuclear industry on Western countries. Bellona experts contributed to the film’s production over the past year. The documentary is available in German with English subtitles. Watch the documentary.
  • Bellona has also published its latest monthly Nuclear Digest, featuring an overview of developments related to nuclear risks in Ukraine and Russia’s influence on international nuclear markets. Read the digest.

Centre for Science and Security Studies, King’s College London

  • The EVIDENCE Network published a new blog post about the recent India-Pakistan conflict and the fake reports of a “radiation leak” that were spread on social media during the conflict. This article is part of the Network’s ongoing research into digital technologies and nuclear disinformation, and its consequences for nuclear security. Read the blog.

International Institute for Strategic Studies

  • Mark Goodman and Mark Fitzpatrick published a piece in the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, “What if Iran Withdraws from the NPT?” They note that a second withdrawal could have more serious effects, especially if Iran were to follow North Korea’s example and begin to produce nuclear weapons. Read the piece.
  • Chelsey Wiley and Dr. Alexander Bollfrass published an article for IISS, “Iran’s nuclear programme after the strikes.” They note that while the attacks were disruptive, they did not succeed in destroying key facilities, thereby allowing Iran to resume its nuclear ambitions. Read the article.
  • Dr. Alexander Bollfrass and Annemiek Dols published an article for IISS, “Nichtverbreitung von Kernwaffen in Krisenzeiten,” [Non-proliferation of nuclear weapons in times of crisis]. They note that despite current shocks to strategic stability, the regime is strong enough to withstand crises. Read the article.

Nuclear Transport Solutions

  • NTS attended the Nuclear Threat Initiative’s Global Dialogue on Nuclear Security Priorities in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. NTS’ Alex Barrow contributed some opening remarks to the first session regarding nuclear security policy, regulatory and industry updates from the UK, and outlined some of the headline security challenges facing the UK’s nuclear sector now and in the near future.
  • NTS delivered a webinar to INSF members on nuclear transport security, setting out key threats and challenges for nuclear materials transport, the UK’s legislative and regulatory framework, how NTS secures its transports of nuclear material within the UK and internationally, and some of the emerging security challenges facing the nuclear transport industry.

Odesa Center for Nonproliferation

  • Ali Alkis participated in the Nuclear Threat Initiative’s Global Dialogue on Nuclear Security Priorities in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from July 9–11.
  • Ali Alkis has been accepted into the Ploughshares and Horizon2045 Nuclear Futures Fellowship for 2025–26. As part of the program, he attended the intensive training in Washington, DC, from July 14–18.
  • Ali Alkis recently published an article titled “IAEA and Nuclear Security: An Evolutionary Perspective” in the Journal of Nuclear Sciences. The piece explores the IAEA’s evolving role in nuclear security — from its early focus on physical protection in the 1970s to today’s complex challenges, including nuclear terrorism and risks in conflict zones. While notable progress has been made, structural and political limitations continue to shape its effectiveness. Read the article.

Vienna Center for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation

  • VCDNP hosted a diplomatic workshop with senior diplomats, officials from international organizations, and non-governmental experts discussed the state of the international nuclear non-proliferation regime, the implications of recent events, and prospects for the 2026 Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference. Read about the workshop.
  • VCDNP senior staff members Laura Rockwood, Ingrid Kirsten and Federica Dall’Arche took part as speakers in the Universalization Youth Academy on the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism (ICSANT), organized by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Vienna. Learn about the event.
  • VCDNP Senior Fellow Dr. Nikolai Sokov reflects on lessons about arms control from the 1970s and 1980s in a short paper. Some lessons learned then could be usefully applied to the present day, others were missed and need to be re-learned. Read the paper.

Individual Member Updates

  • Tom Sauer co-authored an academic article with João Paulo Nicolini Gabriel, “The struggle for influence by emerging powers in nuclear global governance,” published in Global Change, Peace & Security. The paper examines how emerging powers assert influence beyond the P5-dominated Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) framework through two transformative cases: the 2010 Brazil–Türkiye–Iran fuel-swap agreement and the pioneering participation of Brazil, Mexico, South Africa and Indonesia in negotiating and bringing into force the revolutionary Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW). Read the article.
  • Raphael Pangalangan at the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights released a report on the Marshall Islands’ nuclear legacy. Building upon consultations with the Marshall Islands and the United States governments, community representatives, and relevant offices of the United Nations, the report utilizes a transitional justice approach in addressing the challenges and barriers to the full realization and enjoyment of human rights stemming from the nuclear legacy. Read the report.
  • Michael Janicke and the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine have published a consensus study on the Potential Environmental Effects of Nuclear War. The effects of any given nuclear exchange would depend on key processes and interactions along a causal pathway with six stages: weapon employment scenarios and effects; fire dynamics and emissions; plume rise, fate, and transport; physical Earth system impacts; ecosystem impacts; and socioeconomic impacts. Impacts of radioactive fallout were not included in the assessment. Potential Environmental Effects of Nuclear War identifies major uncertainties and data gaps at each stage of the causal pathway that currently limit researchers’ ability to understand and model the effects of a nuclear war. The report recommends that relevant U.S. agencies coordinate the development of and support for a suite of model intercomparison projects to organize and assess models to reduce uncertainties in projections of the climatic and environment effects of nuclear war. Read the report.
  • Dr. Trevor Findlay of the School of Social and Political Sciences at the University of Melbourne published a report for the Nuclear Threat Initiative on resourcing the IAEA for a possible nuclear energy boom. Depending on how the expansion of nuclear energy programs unfolds across the globe, it could challenge the IAEA’s ability to safeguard nuclear material and facilities. Uncertainty in both the type and amount of new nuclear builds limits the IAEA’s ability to plan for increased demand. However, the current pace of deployment provides time for the IAEA to work with the international community to prepare for a surge in activity. Read the report.
  • Md. Shafiqul Islam, with Zareen Tahsin Anjum and Tasfia Rahman Riva, published a journal article in Progress in Nuclear Energy, “Enhancing nuclear security frameworks: A review of methods and tools.” The article reviews a range of nuclear security methodologies and tools documented in the literature, aiming to familiarize stakeholders with their strengths, limitations, and practical applications. By doing so, it supports the advancement of nuclear security education and research. Read the article.
  • Artem Lazarev from the CBRN Terrorism Prevention Programme of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) shared that:
    • On July 7-10, UNODC hosted the Second UNODC International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism (ICSANT) Universalization Youth Academy in Vienna, Austria. The Academy was made possible with the support of the Government of Canada. Find out more.
  • Professor James Larkin of the Rhisotope Project shares that the Project is advancing its mission to combat rhino poaching by using traceable radioisotopes in rhino horns, making them detectable and less desirable in illicit markets. A key strength of the initiative is its reliance on the existing global nuclear security infrastructure and standard operating procedures, allowing the team to build on decades of international work in nuclear security and counterterrorism. The project benefits from the expertise of the IAEA and the vital contributions of partners at Colorado State University, Texas A&M, and the Nuclear Energy Corporation of South Africa (Necsa), demonstrating how nuclear science can be repurposed to protect endangered wildlife and disrupt transnational trafficking networks. Read about the project.
  • Dr. Stephen Cimbala of Penn State University, Brandywine recently published an article in the Global Security Review exploring the recent U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities and their possible consequences. Read the article.

Opportunities

  • The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has a call out for inputs for its second report on addressing the challenges and barriers to the full realization of the human rights of the people of the Marshall Islands stemming from the State’s nuclear legacy. It seeks to answer questions around pursuing justice for the impacts of nuclear testing, outlining the role of international cooperation to support justice mechanisms, exploring how Indigenous justice systems could contribute to accountability, among other topics. Submissions should be sent by September 1, 2025. Read more.
  • The EVIDENCE Network is actively inviting scholars to contribute to their research and new blog. The EVIDENCE Network is open to working with colleagues (academic, industry and all other sectors) on research in CBRN disinformation. Please reach out to the project officer Dr. Zenobia Homan and Zoha Naser or contact the Network at [email protected] for more information. Read more.
  • The IAEA is inviting professionals in the nuclear field to submit abstracts for its 2026 International Conference on Topical Issues in Nuclear Installation Safety. Known as TIC2026, the conference will be held at the IAEA headquarters in Vienna, Austria, from 29 June to 3 July 2026. The deadline for submission of abstracts is 17 October 2025. Read more.
  • Interested contributors have until September 15, 2025, to submit synopses for the IAEA’s International Conference on the Safe and Secure Transport of Nuclear and Radioactive Material. The conference, to be hosted in Vienna, Austria from March 23 to 27, 2026, will cover the legislative and regulatory framework for the transport of nuclear and other radioactive material, safety and security by design; safety and security during transport operations. It builds on previous events held in 2011 and 2021. Read more.
  • The IAEA has launched an infographic design contest for young professionals aged 18 to 35 to raise awareness about emergency preparedness and response in nuclear and radiological contexts. Submissions should be compelling, original infographics inspired by the IAEA’s emergency preparedness and response (EPR) publications. Participating youth are encouraged to turn complex EPR concepts into engaging visuals to enhance public understanding and policy dialogue on EPR. Submissions will be judged on visual clarity, technical accuracy, originality, relevance to the conference themes, and overall impact. Read more.
  • Open Nuclear Network (ONN) is building a small, invitation-only roster of specialists whose insight will shape our monthly forecasts on nuclear-risk flashpoints. By joining, you become part of a discreet, impact-driven community that informs diplomats and decision-makers at precisely the moments when clear judgement matters most. Roster members act as rapid-response advisers. When a development in your region breaks (or when our analysts refine next month’s forecast) we may invite you to: share a quick reading of events, join a secure call to pressure-test scenarios, or draft a brief memo capturing recommended policy steps. Read more.
  • The Institute for Security and Technology (IST) is seeking a Nuclear Policy Associate. IST is looking for candidates who want to contain the risks posed by the intersection of nuclear weapons and emerging technologies, care deeply about existential nuclear risks, want to dive into cutting-edge technical solutions to advance nuclear risk reduction solutions, and are broadly interested in the nexus of machine learning and national security. This role will support the Innovation and Catastrophic Risk portfolio at IST which includes our CATALINK initiative and work at the intersection of AI and nuclear weapons. The role requires project management and execution skills, analysis, research, and writing on nuclear policy, risk reduction, and AI issues. Read more.
  • Anthropic’s Safeguards, Dangerous Asymmetric Harms team is looking for a Research Scientist, CBRN (Rad/Nuke), Machine Learning, who can execute rapidly, maintain high throughput, and bring a strong builder mindset to solving complex problems. The ideal candidate will combine deep nuclear/radiological domain expertise with advanced machine learning capabilities to build systems that evaluate and prevent dangerous capability development. In the role, you’ll be designing novel approaches to detect threats spanning from nuclear proliferation to AI-enabled radiological risks, requiring both technical sophistication and strategic thinking. This role primarily focuses on building advanced ML systems for Nuclear and Radiological threat detection. You will use your deep technical expertise in nuclear security to inform machine learning solutions that prevent real-world catastrophic harm. Read more.
  • The Institute for Peace Research and Security Policy (IFSH) is seeking a Senior Researcher for the Research and Transfer Project Arms Control and Emerging Technologies. In this role, you will conduct interdisciplinary research and policy-relevant work and aim to strengthen international arms control mechanisms in a time of crisis in multilateralism. IFSH is seeking a Senior Researcher with broad expertise in dual-use technologies and their impact on deterrence, defense, and arms control policies. Additional focus areas include the interactions between disruptive technologies (e.g., AI) and traditional weapons technologies in both the nuclear and conventional domains. Read more.
  • The United Nations is hiring a Political Affairs Officer (P-3 level) in New York for its Office for Disarmament Affairs, specifically within the Weapons of Mass Destruction Branch. The role involves monitoring political developments related to WMDs, supporting intergovernmental processes, drafting reports, and engaging with international stakeholders. Candidates should have an advanced degree in political science or a related field, at least five years of relevant experience, and fluency in English. Read more.
  • The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace is hiring a Program Assistant for its Nuclear Policy Program in Washington, DC. This full-time role supports scholars by managing administrative tasks, coordinating events, handling travel and expenses, maintaining databases, and assisting with grant reporting and budgeting. The position also involves helping organize the 2027 Carnegie International Nuclear Policy Conference. Ideal candidates will have a bachelor’s degree, strong organizational and multitasking skills, and experience in logistics or event support. Knowledge of nuclear policy is a plus but not required. Read more.
  • The Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI) is hiring a Senior Program Officer or Director (title based on experience) for its Global Nuclear Policy Program (GNPP) in Washington, DC. This full-time hybrid role involves leading efforts to reduce nuclear risks, shape U.S. nuclear policy, and promote international cooperation to prevent the spread and use of nuclear weapons. Responsibilities include policy development, stakeholder engagement, project management, and outreach to Congress and international partners. Candidates should have a bachelor’s degree (master’s preferred) in international relations or a related field, and at least 6-8 years of relevant experience in government, U.S. Congress, the non-profit or private sector, or an international organization. Read more.
  • The European Commission is seeking a data scientist for nuclear safeguards and non-proliferation. The position is for a data scientist in the Data Pole of the Digital Systems for Safeguards and Non-Proliferation Unit, strengthening the Unit’s activities on the side of Digital Transformation with applications in nuclear safeguards, non-proliferation and security analysis. Read more.
  • MELE Associates is hiring a Nuclear Security Expert to assist with crisis management, informing public health and safety, and providing data to support attribution in the event of a nuclear or radiological incident. They will plan, coordinate, and manage operations with the Crisis Management team, DOE Watch Officers & NNSA Emergency Response Officers, DOE laboratories, and the interagency partners, among other responsibilities. Read more.
  • PGS is seeking applicants for their Research Internship. The intern will primarily focus on researching nuclear security, nuclear energy, and transnational governance issues. Current research projects that interns will support include: exploring the nexus of climate change, nuclear power growth and global security; understanding the growth of nuclear energy in the Middle East and East Asia; tracking the evolution of nuclear security policies and governance structures; using existing voluntary frameworks as a model for nuclear security governance structures; and examining cybersecurity and other potential threats prompted by new technology developments. Read more.
  • IB3 Global Solutions is seeking talented nuclear security/nonproliferation professionals, especially around the DC area, to support various programs under some of the national labs. Specific positions are not posted but those interested should apply to IB3’s general application. Read more.